Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)

Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned what it called Israel's genocide against Palestinians, which has left over 150,000 dead, injured, or missing, mostly women and children.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaking at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, criticized Israel’s attacks on civilians, violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority. He warned these actions undermine peace efforts and Palestinians’ rights.

The Crown Prince also criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories, including halting operations by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

He pledged Saudi support for Palestinians and Lebanese people facing the ongoing Israeli attacks. The Crown Prince urged the international community to act immediately to stop the violence and protect peace.

Dr. Hesham Alghannam of the Carnegie Middle East Center highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strong stance, calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide”—the Kingdom’s harshest condemnation of Israel’s human rights violations.

Saudi Arabia considers the Palestinian Authority (PA) a vital representative for Palestinians in peace talks and international matters, said Saudi scholar Alghannam, stressing its key role in achieving a two-state solution.

Alghannam noted that Israel’s actions, including military aggression and expanding illegal West Bank settlements, undermine the PA’s ability to govern and reduce the land available for a future Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi Arabia highlights core Palestinian rights, such as self-determination, refugee return, and statehood, accusing Israel of systematically blocking these rights.

Saudi Arabia’s position is rallying support from Arab, Islamic, and international communities against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, said Dr. Ali Dabkel Al-Anazi, a media professor at King Saud University.

“The Kingdom has condemned the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as attacks on Iran,” he noted.

Saudi Arabia is determined to lead efforts to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Lebanese and push for a two-state solution, said Al-Anazi

He said the kingdom’s description of Israel’s actions as “crimes” reflects a strong stance in supporting Palestinian rights and reviving peace talks for a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Anazi noted that Saudi Arabia’s summit aimed to unify Arab and Islamic positions and pressure the incoming US administration of Donald Trump to act.

“Saudi Arabia opposes temporary truces or partial solutions,” he said, emphasizing its goals: a ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, ending forced displacement, halting attacks on Lebanon, and achieving a fair resolution with a Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi efforts have led to 149 countries recognizing Palestine and the creation of a global alliance, which held its first meeting in Riyadh with 90 nations and UN organizations.

Since Israel’s military operation last year, Saudi Arabia has focused on protecting the Palestinian cause, both in land and people, said Dr. Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, a political media professor at King Saud University.

He noted that the Kingdom has increased diplomatic efforts to secure Palestine's recognition as a state and membership in the United Nations.

Al-Mutairi added that Saudi Arabia’s push for an international coalition to recognize Palestine, regardless of Israel’s position, has been a political victory, making it harder to ignore the Palestinian issue.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s stance is based on the belief that Palestine is an Arab state and its existence is an Arab responsibility.

On the humanitarian front, Al-Mutairi said Saudi Arabia has been committed to providing aid to Gaza and Lebanon, ensuring it remains separate from political or military considerations.

He pointed to Saudi support for UNRWA as a key part of its effort to protect the safety and health of people in both Palestine and Lebanon.

“The situation is difficult, but delivering aid is essential,” he said. “There is no alternative to this support.”



Saudi Arabia Reiterates Call on Countries to Join Two-State Solution Global Coalition

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Call on Countries to Join Two-State Solution Global Coalition

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its call on countries to join the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was launched by the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee and led by the Kingdom in collaboration with the European Union and Norway.

The cabinet underscored its solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in overcoming the humanitarian impact of the Israeli war against them.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The cabinet hailed the outcome of the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit that was held in Riyadh on Monday, which it said will help in strengthening joint action and continuing cooperation with the international community to stop the war on the Gaza Strip to achieve security and stability in the region.

It welcomed the document of the tripartite mechanism to support Palestine signed between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League and African Union Commission.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet on the letters Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received from Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani.

He also briefed them on his telephone talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and US President-elect Donald Trump, during which he highlighted the Kingdom's keenness to strengthening historical and strategic relations between their countries.

The cabinet reviewed the Kingdom's contributions and initiatives aimed at boosting the effectiveness and speed of international multilateral action in addressing current and future challenges. These efforts are intended to respond to urgent global issues while promoting development and prosperity and strengthening common cultural and social ties.

The cabinet highlighted the Kingdom's emphasis, at recent international meetings, on boosting cooperation with world countries, strengthening coordination in various fields, and endeavoring to continue its humanitarian and development assistance to countries and peoples affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Moreover, the cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to fostering cultural communication between diverse cultures worldwide. It expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the "Arab Week at UNESCO" initiative, launched by the Kingdom at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris, France.

The cabinet praised the Crown Prince's support for national talent, which enables them to become leaders in various fields, out of the belief that individuals are the core and foundation of development. One such talent is the Saudi medical team, which was received by Crown Prince Mohammed after having performed the world's first robotic heart transplant.

The cabinet also lauded the outcome of the 10th Biban24 Forum, held in Riyadh; agreements worth SAR35.4 billion were signed to support entrepreneurship in various sectors and to achieve one of the national goals, which is to increase the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the GDP.